Cricket: Sierra Leone engages Ghana in West Africa battle today

Sierra Leone national cricket team, The Patriot, will today, April 7 commence their campaign for place at global ICC World Cricket League Division 5 against Ghana in what has already been described as an-all West Africa battle at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, South Africa.

The two nations together with four others; Botswana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia will all be on show today and the next five days as they seek for the single qualification spot in the ICC World Cricket League – Africa Division I.

While Sierra Leone and Ghana will battle in one of the ovals, Tanzania will be facing off against Nigeria and Botswana, looking for victory against Zambia in a 50-over games, which will kick-off at exactly 09.30 local time (7:30 GMT).

The following day, Zambia will host Sierra Leone with Nigeria taking on Ghana and Tanzania facing Botswana.

In day 3, Botswana will entertain Ghana, while Tanzania faces Zambia. Sierra Leone will engage in another West Africa battle this time against big brothers, Nigeria. Sierra Leone’s last two matches will be against Botswana and Tanzanian on the April 11 and 13 respectively.

Each country will play 5 matches and the winner will be promoted to Division 5.

ICC Tournament Director, Kuben Pillay believes the tournament will showcase the best of Africa’s development of the game.

“The growth of the cricket in Africa is strong, there are more competitive teams and this will be a hard-fought tournament to qualify for the ICC WCL Division 5.This is an important tournament in the pathway to the ICC Cricket World Cup, promoting the best team from regional level to compete with teams from other parts of the world,” Pillay said.